Early-mid 90s JD strange request

[Tlucch]

My recent search for a new lawn tractor has caused me to ponder the John Deere small lawn tractors of my entrepreneurial youth. I'd say between the ages of 12 and 17 (1992-1997) I had quite the neighborhood racket going on my fathers tractors. He always bought nice small machines with 36-42" deck sizes from a local dealer. For some reason I feel 90% certain that one of my money makers was liquid cooled. Given the rarity and expense of that feature in today's market, I'm curious about this machine. Am I completely mistaken or might someone have some information as to what small liquid cooled JD I may have been using roughly between 92 and 97?
Now as a 30 year old adult, all that mowing paid off and I've got about 2 lush acres on top of a hill that is eating my little LT1042 Cub alive after merely 100 hours. It's constantly breaking parts despite the sort of care and maintenance that would make a classic car jealous. I'm considering the X500, X534, or one of the new GT cubs once more information is released. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[JD755]

285, 320, 322, 425, 445 for gas, and 330, 332, 430, 455 for diesel are some possibilities.

Edit: If the decks were only 36 to 42 inches, then it would be one of the 200 or 300 series. Since most 300 decks were larger, most likely it was the 285.

 

[ATCtech]

LX178 & LX188 as well.

 

[JD755]

LX178 & LX188 as well.

Thanks. Good additional info. I had never paid enough attention to the 100 series to realize any were liquid cooled.

 

[ATCtech]

I had a 1992 LX178 until 2008. It was a 15 HP Kawasaki, the LX188 was a 17 HP if I remember correctly, both liquid cooled and I think they were the only in the series that were back then. That machine ran like a top for all those years. The liquid cooled engine is why I went with the X540 as it's replacement two summers back.

 

[fgross335_2210]

I bought a used 1992 model LX188 in 1997 and ran it for 5 years. The only thing I had to replace was the battery. I had the 48" deck and powerflow bagger. The liquid cooled engine was a gem. Very cold-blooded but ran fine when warmed up. Also not much power at low revs. But ran great at WOT and never lacked for power. Hydrostratic drive was great, machine was solid. A little light in the front when the powerflow bags were full of grass.

I sold it in 2001 when I moved up to (another used) 335 and a larger house/acreage.

 

[JD755]

I went back and looked over my information from that era. The liquid cooled V-twin in those two models was a nice step up from the air cooled single cylinder models.

 

[picker77]

Many old JD's are still on the job. I work a little early 80's JD 111 very hard on my acreage, some mowing but mostly pulling around 15 cu ft carts of cut wood, dirt, gravel, etc. and a 25 gal sprayer. I overhauled the 38" deck a few years back and it's on it's second 11 hp engine. Starts easily every time, runs great. Amazingly, parts are still available at JD. I really should get rid of it to make more room in the shop, since I have a big zero turn and a brush hog to mow with, but it's been such a tough little trooper I'm reluctant to put it out to pasture. Not liquid cooled, though.

Wish it had an hour meter, Lord only knows how many are on it by now. Wouldn't be surprised if it was well over 2,000!

 

[Tlucch]

Thanks for the info, it was an LX-178 15hp liquid cooled kawasaki twin. Seeing the pictures now brings back the memories. What a great machine, can't believe it's so hard to find something that good at that level today in 2010.

 

[sklunk]

The 345 was also liquid-cooled and was built in the mid-90's (my 1996 model is still running strong!)